MI-TRALE crew picks up trash along M-28
Trending
BRUCE CROSSING -- A seven-person crew from the Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment gathered Sept. 19 to complete the organization’s fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup along M-28.
The volunteers met at the Bruce Crossing Fire House before heading east along M-28 for two miles to collect litter and debris from both sides of the highway.
The crew included MI-TRALE President Don Helsel; Director Chris Palmer and his wife, member Heather Palmer; Director Cathy Wainio and her grandson, volunteer Gavin Lind; and Member Tim Peacy and his friend, volunteer Justin Geckle.
Partly overcast skies provided favorable conditions for the morning’s work, with temperatures comfortable for the volunteers as they tackled the roadside cleanup.
To make the collection more efficient, the crew divided into two groups, with one working along the north side of the highway and the other along the south side. Both teams began collecting debris at 9 a.m.
By 10:15 a.m., the volunteers had collected approximately 10 full bags of litter from each side of M-28, for a total of about 20 bags in just over an hour.
MI-TRALE members Heather Palmer and Tim Peacy coordinated the project, helping organize the volunteers and ensure the cleanup proceeded smoothly.
President Don Helsel praised their efforts, saying, "Our thanks go out to these two dedicated Members whose proper planning gave us a speedy and successful conclusion to this worthwhile event."
Peacy also expressed appreciation for the community and the volunteers who participated.
"We are lucky to have a community that is conscious of our area, so it is never too dirty," Peacy said. "And it was also very nice to have a congenial group of volunteers to work with who were willing to lend their hands to help with doing our part in caring for our environment."
The successful cleanup demonstrated the value of community involvement in keeping local roadways clean and protecting the surrounding environment. Through the Adopt-A-Highway program, MI-TRALE members and volunteers continue to contribute their time and effort toward maintaining the beauty of the region for residents and travelers alike.